Aldo Cipullo 1970 New York Rare Wrench Charm Pendant in Gilded Sterling Silver
View Similar Items
Aldo Cipullo 1970 New York Rare Wrench Charm Pendant in Gilded Sterling Silver
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Weight:4.7 g
- Dimensions:Width: 0.59 in (14.99 mm)Length: 1.57 in (39.88 mm)
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. The overall condition of this charm is excellent. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to the gold. This piece has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.
- Seller Location:Miami, FL
- Reference Number:Seller: P0000ANMP/.11111stDibs: LU2690216146872
Aldo Cipullo
In a jewelry-design career spanning just over two decades, Aldo Cipullo created a portfolio of iconic pieces. And decades after his death, his most famous, the Cartier Love bracelet, remains a best seller.
A life devoted to jewelry seemed preordained for Cipullo, who was born in Naples in 1935 and raised in Rome. His father, Giuseppe, manufactured costume jewelry, and Cipullo, the eldest of five siblings, began selling goods for the family business at age 15.
In 1959, Cipullo left postwar Italy for New York City. He had found the right place at the right time to ply his prodigious talent and navigated between some of the most prestigious jewelers situated on the city’s most glittering thoroughfares, 57th Street and Fifth Avenue. Cipullo’s first stop was the workshop of David Webb, a favorite among the mid-century beau monde. Webb, who was one of America’s most influential and best-loved jewelry designers, became a mentor for the new arrival, advising him to call himself a designer despite his bench jeweler job description.
Tiffany & Co. came next. Cipullo alighted at the design studio in 1964, becoming — along with Sonia Younis, Don Berg and Donald Claflin — part of a youthquake that brought fresh ideas to the stately American brand.
At Tiffany, Cipullo came into his own as a designer with an original point of view, developing a facility across a broad swathe of motifs and inspirations that included lifelike florals, stylized African animals and masks, modern geometries — and hardware, expressed in a series of key-shaped brooches that offer the first glimpse of a theme he would return to later. By the end of the 1960s, he was designing some of Tiffany’s crown jewels, pieces in its Blue Book high-jewelry collection, often using lapis, coral or turquoise. These colorful opaque gems were among the materials that would become hallmarks of his work.
According to the designer’s brother Renato Cipullo — a coauthor with jewelry journalist Vivienne Becker on Cipullo: Making Jewelry Modern (Assouline) — when the term of a two-year contract with Tiffany neared its end in 1969, the brand passed on a gold bracelet design Aldo presented to the house. Though Tiffany wasn’t ready to raise Cipullo’s profile, another suitor would soon pick up the piece and give it, and in turn Cipullo, a major public platform. He struck a deal with Michael Thomas, president of Cartier New York, to carry some of his designs — including the new bracelet — exclusively.
Becker recounts the history of the Cartier Love bracelet in the book: Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle. The Love bracelet combined hardware with elements of symbolic Victorian jewelry and the chastity belt, plus the ritual of meaningful adornment.
The bracelet, along with its designer, was just the tonic that Cartier needed at the start of the 1970s, a moment when the venerable brand was seeking an injection of youthful jet-set glamour. Cipullo’s winning streak with the brand continued, even as he designed for his own studio, Aldo Cipullo Ltd., which he established in the early part of the decade.
The Love design — which also yielded a ring and a necklace — was not Cipullo’s sole hardware-inspired jewelry for Cartier; his unisex Juste un Clou (“just a nail”) bracelet takes the form of a curved nail. When he died, at the age of 48, from a double heart attack, Cipullo was only getting started. Nevertheless, he left a profound legacy.
Find vintage Aldo Cipullo jewelry today on 1stDibs.
- Cartier 1970 By Aldo Cipullo Brooch Pin In 18Kt Vermeil Over Sterling SilverBy Aldo Cipullo for CartierLocated in Miami, FLvery rare geometric design by Aldo Cipullo for Cartier. A great modernist brooch pin, designed by Aldo Cipullo in New York in the early 1970's. It was crafted for the house of Carti...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modernist Brooches
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
- Aldo Cipullo 1970 New York Quilted Clip Earrings 18Kt Yellow Gold with DiamondsBy Aldo CipulloLocated in Miami, FLA pair of Earrings designed by Aldo Cipullo (1942-1984). Great quilted pair, created in New York city at the atelier of Aldo Cipullo, back in the 1970's. This pair of clips-earrings...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modernist Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- David Webb 1960 New York Pendant-Brooch in 18kt Gold with 2.42 Cts in GemstonesBy David WebbLocated in Miami, FLPendant Brooch designed by David Webb. Gorgeous and bold versatile piece, created in New York city at the atelier of the Iconic David Webb, back in the 1960. This massive pendant ha...Category
Vintage 1960s American Modernist Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Obrey Paris 1970 Retro Modernist Unisex Wrist Watch In Gilded Sterling SilverLocated in Miami, FLRetro modernist wrist watch designed by Emile Obrey Paris. Fabulous ultra modernist wristwatch, created in Paris France at the atelier of Emile Obrey, back in the early 1970. Crafted in solid .925/.999 sterling silver with a 18 karats gold vermeil, featuring a very unusual thick case with arabic numerals in the outside part. An amazing unique conversation piece. Movement: Mechanical, manual winding. Dial: Round, plain, black-brown with gold hands. Signed Obrey made in France. Weight: 62.4 Grams, (40 Dwt). Measurements: Diameter of 34 mm (1.34 Inches). Hallmarks: Stamped with French marks; the maker's mark G&S, the crab mark for the assay of the silver and signed, "OBREY PARIS SOLID SILVER MADE IN FRANCE". Émile Obrey opened his first shop in the 1930s. After being part of the French resistance during World War II, the company founded its branch on rue Tronchet, Paris, in 1951. The Obrey company launched a collection of solid silver watches in 1966. The company became popular during the 1960s-1970s.[1] During this period, the company grew significantly, becoming an international firm, and selling its products worldwide, especially in the US and Germany. The house Obrey has always been administered by the Obrey family. Today, Émile Obrey's son is the current manager of the company. Collateral: It is presented in a brand new crocodile...Category
Vintage 1970s French Retro Wrist Watches
MaterialsGold, Silver, Sterling Silver
- Pol Bury Belgium 1970 Rare Sculptural Kinetic Spikes Pendant Brooch In 18Kt GoldBy Pol BuryLocated in Miami, FLA Kinetic spikes pendant-brooch designed by Pol Bury (Belgium 1922-2005). An exceptional and very rare sculptural piece of Kinetic and Op-art, created in 1968-2004 by the Belgian Ar...Category
Late 20th Century Belgian Modernist More Jewelry
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$27,950Free Shipping - Scandinavian Artist Jine 1970 Geometric Pendant Necklace in .925 Sterling SilverLocated in Miami, FLScandinavian geometric necklace. Beautiful and unusual Scandinavian piece, created in northern Europe, circa 1970's. This geometric pendant has been crafted in solid .925/.999 with polished and textured surfaces. Accompanied by a rope chain of 29 inches (74 Cm). Has a total weight of 113.9 Grams and a measurements of 75 mm by 50 mm (2.95 x 1.97 Inches). Stamped, with the maker's mark and signature, "JINE". Collateral: It is accompanied by a presentation jewelry box...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Retro Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Aldo Cipullo Gold and Diamond Noose CharmBy Aldo CipulloLocated in New York, NYFigural "noose" charm, set with a faceted diamond. Made and signed by ALDO CIPULLO. 18K yellow gold. 1 1/3" x 1/2." Can be worn as a charm or pendant. A most unique and compel...Category
Vintage 1970s American More Jewelry
MaterialsDiamond, Gold, 18k Gold
- Sterling Silver Vintage Key Charm PendantLocated in Mount Kisco, NYThis fun vintage sterling silver key charm makes a unique addition as a pendant for one of your longer chains or added to a key ring. Measuring at three inch...Category
2010s American Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsAmethyst, Citrine, Sterling Silver
- Large Enamel Sterling Silver ACES Pendant CharmLocated in New York, NYHeavy and solid "ACES" charm/pendant. Sterling silver with red enameling. 1" x 1 3/4." A great charm. Alice Kwartler has sold the finest antique gold and diamond jewelry and si...Category
Vintage 1940s American More Jewelry
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Figa Cow Bone Sterling Silver Amulet Charm PendantLocated in Rotterdam, NLA vintage silver mounted carved cow (bull) bone amulet charm, featuring the iconic figa or mano fico symbol - just the kind of jewelry Grand Tour visitors...Category
Mid-20th Century European Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Hermès Birkin Bag Pendant for Necklace Bracelet or Charm in Silver RAREBy HermèsLocated in FRAdorable Authentic Hermès Pendant "Birkin" Bag shaped Can be hung by the handles of the bag or by the removable ring Made of Sterling Silver (925/100...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsSterling Silver
- New Jorge Revilla Pendant, Sterling Silver Gold Plated Contemporary CircleLocated in Greensboro, NCBrand: Jorge Revilla Metal Content: Guaranteed Sterling Silver (rose gold plated) as stamped Measurements: 1 9/16" (39.0mm) tall (from stationary bail), 1 1/2" (37.4mm) wide The top ...Category
Late 20th Century Unknown More Jewelry
MaterialsGold Plate, Sterling Silver
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
This Richly Textured Jean Mahie Cuff Was Designed in 1978 But Still Feels On Trend
Imbued with a subtle eroticism, this piece inspired by the aesthetics of ancient civilizations is 22-karat gold at its absolute sexiest.
Hunt for Thrilling Artist-Signed Pieces and Estate Gems at Treasure Fine Jewelry
A former architect, owner Edoardo Grande seeks out pieces with unparalleled workmanship and sculptural appeal.